Description: The article talks through my personal journey of passing actuarial exams during the pandemic. The purpose of the article is to provide readers a different perspective on how to successfully navigate and balance work-study commitments. The article provides 6 tips that helped me overcome exam challenges.

Description: R. Dale Hall, FSA, CERA, MAAA, CFA, Managing Director of the SOA Research Institute recently held a virtual open house highlighting the work of the Institute and opportunities to get involved in Institute research.

Description: "One of the key responsibilities in the actuarial profession is forecasting. Seldom do we use this skill outside of the work on our desks to broadly assess the professional landscape.When we have, we are provided direction as to the future of the actuary, and where this profession is heading. Join us for a 50-minute panel discussion with leaders in the profession on the Actuary of the Future, where we will discuss the direction of the profession, including the skill sets and technology that have been identified as being integral to actuarial work in the next 5-10 years. At the conclusion of the session, you’ll be able to: • Understand how actuarial modernization will impact employers and the profession. • How actuaries can be leveraged to provide a broader impact to industry. • How social, demographic, and technological changes are driving disruptions in the profession."

Description: Blockchain and cryptography have seen significant adoption around the world. While still in early stages, it has started to make an impact in finance, gaming, and metaverses industries. Organizations have even began to provide insurance services on blockchain. Although insurance is limited to protection against financial losses in markets, the sheer adoption has sparked interest for other insurance use cases and some startups have already started experimenting in the space.

Description: An update of recent past and upcoming professional development opportunities that have relevance to general insurance actuaries.

Description: Explore similarities between actuaries and data scientists as speakers share personal experiences on the importance of organizational structure. Attend the Actuary, Data Scientist, or Actuarial Data Scientist webcast to discover the effectiveness of partnering both of these career paths in a life insurance atmosphere. In addition to personal experiences, speakers will discuss several success stories where collaboration and connection became the key to driving innovation. Come learn about the progress these professions have caused in pricing and risk management.

Description: The Research Executive Committee (REC) of the SOA Research Institute oversees the funding of the Emerging Issues Pool. This key source of research funding is used to sponsor projects that are beneficial to the entire profession, across practice area boundaries that may require funding levels beyond the normal annual funding budgets of research committees and sections. The REC is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to fulfill the strategic goals of the organization through the use of this pool for funding new projects.

Description: The latest in a series of articles connecting the principles of Zen Buddhism to the working world of actuaries. This issue focuses on techniques for cultivating a gratitude mindset under all types of conditions - even stressful ones, in order to maintain equilibrium and harmony for a more productive workday.

Description: This article is about small business changes and challenges before and after COVID.

Description: This article ackowledges the contribution of outgoing members of SOA Education and Research ( E & R) Section Council, introduces new council members, and provides some useful information for the current section members.